Potential of Blue Biotechnology and Deep Sea Microbial Ecosystems
Varsha Kelkar Mane
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, University of Mumbai.
Potential of Blue Biotechnology and Deep Sea Microbial Ecosystems
Blue biotechnology is one of the fastest emerging, high-technology sectors of the Blue Economy. FICCI’s Vision 2025 document on the blue economy proposes boosting the business potential for India together with international partners by optimizing and harnessing ocean resources for economic gains. The blue economy holds the potential to boost and contribute to sustainable use of marine resources for job creation, innovation, and opportunities for knowledge-based ventures.
Established research institutes across India, such as National Institute of Oceanography (Goa), and CSMCRI (Bhavnagar), have been working on basic, applied and fundamental marine / blue biotechnology for many decades now. They have done pioneering work in the field of bioprospecting, marine biotechnology, biofilms, biofouling and functional genomics. Extensive work has also been carried out on marine bioactives, intensive seaweed farming, biofuels and polymer production using marine organisms including micro and macroalgae. ICAR’s institutes, like CIBA (Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture) and CIFA (Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture), in association with the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research have been actively involved in sequencing the transcriptome and genome of the tiger shrimp for its enhanced productivity, and RNA vaccines against shrimp diseases.
Full Article Content
Sign in to read the complete article.
Varsha Kelkar Mane
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, University of Mumbai.
Varsha Kelkar Mane is Associate Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, University of Mumbai.